New Yorker Julie Klam is the author of the best-selling dog memoir “You Had Me at Woof,” which chronicles her adventures in Boston Terrier rescue. A must-read, the book is really wonderful: alternately heartbreaking and hilarious,but always heartfelt.

Julie is a hardcore dog lover, and although her heart belongs to Bostons, she won’t hesitate to help any dog in need, regardless of breed. This past summer, she and her family came across a sweet pit bull who had been abandoned outdoors for hours in the hot sun. Says Julie: “I wasn’t going to leave him there – I would leave myself there first.” The pit, named Puck, is a staff favorite at The Simon Foundation, an excellent animal sanctuary in Connecticut where he awaits his forever home. (To inquire about adopting him, go here.)

Meanwhile, back in New York City, Julie insists that her daughter Violet, age 7, is the real dog person in the family. “She’s the biggest dog lover I have ever met in my life – she makes me look indifferent,” Julie says with a laugh. Here’s Violet enjoying a cat-nap with K9 Dahlia on a size-medium dog bed that’s big enough for two!

Posted by Julia Szabo.

Crypton Throver Stars on the Today Show

Yesterday’s most-watched and re-watched “Today Show” segment featured Animal Fair’s Wendy Diamond showcasing holiday gifts for four-legged, furry friends.

In addition to pet beds, winter coats, treats, and toys, Wendy highlighted home furnishings for the animal lover on your list.

And what was top of Wendy’s list? The Crypton Throver, of course!

Wendy’s pick was especially festive: the new “Show” pattern by William Wegman.

Happy Holidays !

Posted by Julia Szabo.

Crypton Throver Does Double Duty at Play Time

When home furnishings and accessories get drafted into service as kids’ play things, the results are not always pretty. No wonder many parents are reluctant to let the living room double as a recreational venue.

But, as my favorite brother act Jack and Reeve Walsh capably demonstrate, some home accessories are durable enough to stand up to almost anything a couple of rambunctious boys can dish out. The Throver, for instance, looks elegant draped over the sofa, yet it’s rugged enough for real rough-housing. (Wish Crypton had been around when I was growing up!)

As tough as the Throver is, it’s also soft and inviting enough to earn the approval of a creature-comforts expert: Betty the tabby. She’s clearly wondering when her boys will be done playing with those Throvers so she can claim one for … a cat nap!

Posted by Julia Szabo.

A Power Present for the Holidays:

Buying holiday gifts can be a challenge, but even the toughest giftees on your list will be happy to receive something that’s both whimsical and useful, functional and fashionable.

That perfectly describes a shopper that looks great with any outfit, and folds up neatly into a small bundle, to stow away in your briefcase or handbag when it’s not in use. And unlike socks or ties, a shopper is something nobody can have too many of. When all is said and done, isn’t shopping something we all do – in some form – every day of the year?

Not many shoppers can call themselves genuine works of art, but we know of one that actually can. Artist Randy Twaddle has electrified this shopper with his Power Lines design. Not since the 1970s hit song “Wichita Lineman” have power lines been so eloquent! And don’t worry if anything spills in or on your bag – it’s got a patented moisture barrier to prevent liquids from penetrating the fabric, so whatever you’re carrying won’t short-circuit.

Posted by Julia Szabo.

The spotlight shines on Crypton in Newsweek video feature:

Last week, Newsweek interviewed our own Julia Szabo for a video feature on pet pampering. Viewers got a tour of Julia’s New York City apartment, which she’s customized for the comfort of her four – count ‘em, four – large dogs.

We spotted our favorite dog beds and pillows used as cushions on Julia’s bed, which she shares with her pack of canine companions.

Meanwhile, we learned about a new use for our multitasking  throver. We knew it comes in very handy on the bed or sofa, in the car, even on a boat. Now we saw Julia use the Throver as a handy mat on the floor, where her veterinary chiropractor “adjusts” the senior dogs, to get their spines in proper alignment.

Now that’s what we call pampering! Watch the video here.

An Apron with Star Quality

Actress Juliette Bennett is an enchanting performer, a natural entertainer who’s in her element both on stage and in film. She has old-school star quality reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn and Veronica Lake, but with an ultra-modern edge.

She’s brilliant at interpreting playwrights from Shakespeare to A.R. Gurney, but Juliette is equally enchanting when she’s entertaining friends at her New York City apartment.

With its magnificent vistas on the East River, the view from her living room window is captivating. But so is the view inside the kitchen, where Juliette recently prepared a spectacular organic, vegan curry stew, served with rice and an avocado-dressed salad.

Nothing stains quite like turmeric, that dazzling yellow spice that’s the key to a great curry. In fact, turmeric has been used for centuries as a natural fabric dye. But Juliette needn’t worry about errant yellow stains on her outfit, because she’s armed with her favorite apron.

Posted by Julia Szabo.

Do you have a clan of messy eaters in your house? Are dinner time spills taking over your table?  We’ve got an opportunity for you! Recently, Crypton developed a fun line of colorful and reversible mess-free suede placemats.  Not only are they stylish, the Crypton technology behind the fabric means they are completely stain- and water-resistant, too. Although you can’t buy these placemats in stores yet, we thought it would be fun to offer our readers an exclusive opportunity to test them out. We’ll even give you the full set of four placemats – all you have to do is share your story with us.  

 That’s all it takes to receive three additional placemats: a full set!  This opportunity won’t be available for long and space is limited, so sign up soon! All signed up? Once you’ve recieved your placemat, fill out a feedback form to recieve the other three.

We look forward to hearing your messy stories!

Crypton Giveaway and Excitement Online

Register to win a “Backyard Makeover” at HouseSmartsTV.com, with a list of great prizes including a set of Woodard Furniture with Crypton Super Fabric! Details on the prize package and a registration form (open until June 30th) can be found on HouseSmarts.

In addition to the HouseSmarts giveaway, Crypton just keeps popping up –not only on couches, pillows, walls and floors, but all over the web as well. Check out a few of the links below!

NewYork Times: Slobproof Sofas and Chairs – The Slobproof line of furniture, designed by Crypton and author/designer Debbie Wiener, was featured in the Currents column of the Style section. Read all about it!

Dog Blog Pet Bed Review – Crypton’s Molly B. Luxury Pet Bed received a “Winner” recommendation from DogBlog blogger Julie and her dog Maggie. There’s even a video review of Maggie enjoying her new bed.

Crypton on Facebook – From time to time, we have shared photos, video and other upcoming news on the Facebook page – stay tuned for more updates!

High-fashion shoe designer Warren Edwards thinks Crypton is made for walking!

In celebration of Fashion Week, which has blanketed New York City in a beautiful blizzard of style, let’s stop for a short, chic shoe tutorial. Before Jimmy Choo, before Christian Louboutin, before Manolo Blahnik, there was Warren Edwards, brilliant designer of fashion-forward footwear for women and men.

Warren’s still going strong, his delightful designs proof that he’s at the very top of his game. And his high-style Manhattan store on East 60th Street off Park Avenue continues to be the de rigueur destination for connoisseurs of fine, fashionable footwear.

Another reason to love Warren is that he’s a huge dog lover. He’s owned by two adorable fox terriers, Nicky and Nora – they’re named after the lead humans in “The Thin Man” flicks, but they’re ringers for the movies’ dog star, a famous fox terrier named Asta.

But dogs will be dogs, so Nicky and Nora are not above, ahem, chewing the occasional shoe. Warren recalls the time his girls destroyed an entire range of design samples. “That was a very expensive exercise in learning that they love to chew shoes,” he says with a laugh. “For some reason, they were especially diligent about munching on the heels.” Well, they are females, after all, so they appreciate a stylin’ stiletto!

The design challenge: How to make heels that are as hound-proof as they are haute?  Warren came up with a brilliant idea: a shoe with no leather components might be an effective doggie deterrent. But the material still has to be high-style and that’s where Super Fabrics come in.

Warren selected Crypton Suede in Blueberry, and knocked our socks off with these fabulous renderings of traffic-stopping “Blue Suede Shoes.”

“It’s a great color in that denim-y family, which is hugely popular now,” the designer explains. “It’s such a great, non-seasonal shade.” Plus, with their treaded Vibram soles, the shoes provide the traction every dog-walker needs when pounding the pavement with a pup. 

High-fashion shoes made for walking and puppy-proofing? That, as they say in the U.K., is the dog’s bollocks. Stay tuned to see the actual shoes in action …

Posted by Julia Szabo.